Rob Knox
Rob Knox | |
|---|---|
| File:Rob Knox in Harry Potter (cropped).png Knox on the set of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in 2008 | |
| Born | Robert Arthur Knox 21 August 1989 Kent, England |
| Died | 24 May 2008 (aged 18) Sidcup, London, England |
| Cause of death | Murder by stabbing |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2000–2008 |
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Robert Arthur Knox (21 August 1989 – 24 May 2008) was an English actor who portrayed the character of Marcus Belby in the film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,[1] and had signed to appear in its sequel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.[2]
Having studied at Beths Grammar School, Bexley, Knox began acting aged 11, gaining small roles in British television shows like The Bill, After You've Gone and Trust Me, I'm a Teenager. His first cinematic appearance was as an extra in King Arthur (2004).
Knox died after being stabbed outside a bar in Sidcup, Southeast London, in May 2008, when he intervened in a fight to protect his brother. His murder attracted widespread attention in the British press, and his assailant, Karl Norman Bishop, was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum 20-year non-parole period.[3] An annual film festival, the Rob Knox Film Festival, was created in 2008 to commemorate him, by the Rob Knox Foundation which helps fund training for young local people in the arts.
Early life and career
[edit | edit source]Knox was born to Colin and Sally Knox in 1989. He was a pupil at Beths Grammar School, Bexley. He had been acting since the age of 11, and his first credited role was a small part in an episode of the ITV police drama The Bill and he also appeared in the Channel 4 reality show Trust Me, I'm a Teenager, and the BBC comedy After You've Gone. He had previously appeared as an extra in a number of productions. The first film Knox appeared in was King Arthur in 2004. He also appeared on Tonight with Trevor McDonald.[2]
Harry Potter
[edit | edit source]In 2007, casting began for the role of Marcus Belby in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the film adaptation of British author J. K. Rowling's best-selling novel and the sixth installment of the Harry Potter film series.[4]
Knox posthumously appeared in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009).[1]
Although his character does not appear in the seventh novel, Knox had signed on to reprise his role as Marcus Belby in the production of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.[2]
Murder and aftermath
[edit | edit source]Knox was stabbed to death at the age of 18 outside the Metro Bar in Sidcup, Southeast London, on 24 May 2008. He had intervened in a fight to protect his 17-year-old brother Jamie, who was being threatened by a man armed with two kitchen knives.[5][6][7] Warner Bros. released a statement concerning his death: "We are all shocked and saddened by this news and at this time our sympathies are with his family".[5]
Arrest and trial of Karl Bishop
[edit | edit source]Karl Norman Bishop (born 1987 in Lewisham,[8] Southeast London),[9] from Carlton Road, Sidcup, was charged with the murder.[2] He was taken into custody, and remained there until his trial, which began in February 2009.[10] Bishop was found guilty of murder on 4 March 2009,[11][12] and received a life sentence with a minimum of 20 years before being considered for parole.[13] Police reported that he showed no remorse for the crime.[14]
Tribute
[edit | edit source]Players of Charlton Athletic and Millwall football clubs wore special kits on 19 December 2009, at The Valley, in honour of murdered local teenagers Knox and Jimmy Mizen, and their supporters. The logos of both clubs' shirt sponsors were replaced by the text: "Street violence ruins lives", with the shirts later auctioned to raise funds for the Rob Knox Memorial Fund and the Jimmy Mizen Foundation.[15]
Media
[edit | edit source]Documentary
[edit | edit source]- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)., an ITVX Documentary.[16]
Filmography
[edit | edit source]| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2004 | King Arthur | extra | Uncredited |
| 2009 | Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince | Marcus Belby | Released posthumously |
| 2021 | (K)nox: The Rob Knox Story | Himself | Released posthumously |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| The Bill | Unknown | 1 episode | |
| 2003 | Trust me I'm a Teenager | Himself | |
| 2007 | After You've Gone | Josh | 2 episodes |
See also
[edit | edit source]- Murder of Ben Kinsella – Kinsella was another child actor who was stabbed to death in 2008 whilst still a teenager
- Sally Anne Bowman – a British model who was also murdered in London.
References
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- ^ a b c d Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).[dead link]
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- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ "Harry Potter Actor's Murder: Man In Court" Archived 12 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine, News.Sky.com, 27 May 2008
- ^ "SIDCUP: Man to stand trial for murder of Harry Potter actor Rob Knox" Archived 4 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine, ThisIsLocalLondon.com 6 February 2009
- ^ 'Potter actor's parents' anguish' Archived 14 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine BBC News, 4 March 2009
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).[dead link]
- ^ 'Life term for Potter actor killer' Archived 10 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine BBC News, 5 March 2009
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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External links
[edit | edit source]
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- 1989 births
- 2008 crimes in the United Kingdom
- 2008 deaths
- 2008 in London
- 21st-century English male actors
- Actors from the London Borough of Bexley
- Deaths by stabbing in London
- English male child actors
- English male film actors
- English murder victims
- Male actors from Kent
- People educated at Beths Grammar School
- Actors from Medway
- People from Sidcup
- People murdered in London
- Murdered actors